Hawick’s new ladies football team aim to join league by 2017

A ladies football team has been fored in Hawick, and aim to start playing matches next month.

The new club will be going under the banner of Hawick United Ladies Colts.

They are aiming to kick off their season in January, beginning with friendly matches in 2016. Members hope that will be a stepping stone for entry intothe Edinburgh and District League in 2017.

The team’s formation is the resul of a lot of hard work. It was Gemma Fletcher who got the ball rolling.

She explained: “I wanted to start a team in Hawick as there has never been one before.

“So I put this on facebook and got about 30 replies not only from Hawick but from all over the Borders. This was just great and things just started to progress after this.

“The astroturf pitch at Hawick was booked for training and we all put together to buy training equipment.

“We have a coach, Wullie Frew, who had played for Hawick United and he has been just great for us. We didn’t have a name to begin with but we got in touch with the SFA about joining a league.”

Hawick United committee man Dougie Leithead has given the new team a helping hand. He said: “The ladies team needed help as they were looking for a base and home to start with. As a club, Hawick United like to think they are forward thinking and we spoke to the ladies and have since formalised a link as we saw this as a good opportunity for both teams.

“The ladies agreed to be called Hawick United Ladies Colts. As they are starting from scratch, the ladies are on the lookout for sponsorship as they have very little training aids or strips. United’s main sponsors Cooper’s Bar have agreed to help but further sponsors are needed”.

Player Louise McWatters added: “I played football when I was at Hawick High School but stopped after that because there was not a ladies team to play for. I have been enjoying training and I am looking forward to when we start playing games. It would be good if more girls would come along and join up.”